1 Thessalonians 1:7

“so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

“So”: Carefully note: Without joy, one is not being. Christ-like example. “Became an”: The imitators now become the imitated.

“Ensample”: “It was. great compliment for the church in Thessalonica to be already. model for believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (Robertson p. 12). Notice the type of growth and activity this congregation of new converts was capable of achieving! What. wake up call! If these Christians were capable of this type of growth and example, so soon after conversion, then what can we accomplish? We forget how adversity can so quickly be turned into success. Out of any difficult situation--we have the choice. Whether to make. great success out of this, or to be neutralized or destroyed by it (James 1:2). The unbelieving Jews in Thessalonica zealously tried to stomp out the church in this city, but their efforts only backfired and resulted in Christians being strengthened, and more determined to serve God and spread the gospel. See Acts 8:1. “The Thessalonian Christians had joyfully received the message despite the opposition which they faced would thus have been both an incentive to these other Christians and also. pattern for them to follow” (Marshall p. 55). Stott notes, “If the preachers were marked by truth, conviction and power, the converts were marked by joy, courage, and obedience. Let nobody say that the gospel is devoid of wholesome effects!” (p. 36).

“In Macedonia”: Which included Philippi and Berea. “And in Achaia”: (ah KAY yah). Including the Christians in Athens and Corinth. What we know as Greece was at that time divided up into two Roman provinces, the northern being Macedonia and the southern being Achaia. “Probably travelers going in and out of Corinth (where Paul was) from Macedonia reported to Paul how they had heard about the Thessalonian Christians” (Fields p. 38).